The University for Peace’s Africa Programme is seeking three individuals to work as external evaluators of its current 5-year project on peacebuilding in Africa.

The Africa Programme is presently organized around three regional hubs- Southern Africa, West Africa and East and Central Africa. The Africa Programme will hire one evaluator from each of the three hubs. Each will be responsible for evaluation of activities within the hub. One of the three evaluators will act as the lead evaluator of the project, coordinating the work with the two others. The level of effort for the lead evaluator is presently estimated at 60%, and 40% for the two other evaluators.

Each of the three evaluators must have at least a Bachelor’s degree in a social science-related field. Each of the evaluators must have at least 10 years of experience working in areas related to peacebuilding, conflict resolution or civic society. Preference is given to residing citizens of African countries of each region.

Each of the evaluators must prove previous programme evaluation experience, and provide references. That experience preferably must include the use of action research, qualitative and quantitative, and participatory types of evaluation research. Samples of evaluation reports are requested and encouraged.

Each of the evaluators must be efficient in using computer-based software for word processing, internet and email; preference will be given to those with knowledge and experience in using quantitative analysis software such as SPSS. Proficiency in English is required. Additionally, proficiency in French is highly desired- particularly for the East & Central African region.

The selection of the lead evaluator, along with remuneration fees of all evaluators, will be based on a combination of experience and knowledge in evaluation-related areas.

Applications will be received through the end of January 2004. Please email or fax your application and curriculum vitae to the following address:

Dr. Amr Abdalla
University for Peace
Apartado 138-6100
Ciudad Colon, Costa Rica
Email: aabdalla@upeace.org
Fax: (506) 506-1324

The selection of the three evaluators will take place by the end of February 2005. Following the selection, orientation and training will be provided.

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International Workshop on Environmental Degradation and Conflict in Darfur
Supported by the University for Peace

The UN-affiliated University for Peace (UPEACE), in collaboration with the Peace Research Institute of the University of Khartoum, jointly organised a conference on “Environmental Degradation and Conflict in Darfur” at the University of Khartoum, on 15 and 16 December 2004.

The workshop issues concentrated on environmental degradation as a root cause, and examined land tenure and land use, governance, water, desertification, and many related sub-issues. The workshop was attended by academics, decision makers, representatives of civil society organizations and students.

Professor Sean O'Fahey, University of Bergen in Norway, a leading historian and expert on Darfur, and author of three books on Darfur, will serve as the editor of a monograph to be published resulting from the workshop. A public lecture by Professor O'Fahey examined the historic patterns of ethnicity and religion in Sudan, particularly Darfur, going back to the 16th century.

A follow-up workshop has been proposed to focus on community interventions, emphasizing endogenous methods of dispute resolution and natural resource use.

For the news release please click here.

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'News For Peace' Publication Launched in Rwanda